Een gezonde omgeving ter preventie van gewichtsstijging: nationale en lokale mogelijkheden

Like in most other western countries, the physical and social environment in the Netherlands has developed in such a way that it has become easy to choose for an inactive lifestyle and excessive consumption of energy dense foods. Both lifestyle factors play an important role in the development of overweight in the Dutch population. Interventions that favour healthy lifestyle choices may contribute to the prevention of gaining weight. In this report a number of potentially effective measures at the national and local level are identified that may stimulate physical activity and discourage intake of energy dense foods. At the national level possible effective strategies are: (1) increase in the number of hours of physical education at school and (2) (increase of) offering low caloric drinks in vending machines. At the local level possible effective strategies are (3) creating attractive walking and bicycling paths, (4) exercise-friendly school playgrounds, (5) a healthy school environment, (6) subsidizing and stimulating active commuting to work and school, (7) offering low caloric foods in canteens and (8) optimal use of available sport facilities. Preliminary theoretical calculations show that these potentially effective measures will result in a relative weight loss of 0.2 kg per person at the population level. Creating a healthy environment implies an integrated approach involving various sectors such as the media, the education sector, the food industry, urban planning sector, employers and the public health sector at the local and national level. Therefore pursuing a 'health in all policies' approach seems necessary. However, a successful multi-policy approach is only possible when there is sufficient support, clear division of roles and a clear policy framework.